Projects

Addressing peer-related variables in failure to comply charges of youth

In Canada, failures to comply with court-ordered conditions are one of the most common criminal charges faced by youth. Some evidence has identified factors that contribute to breaching conditions, such as the number of conditions and length of time under them, but there is currently no research addressing how peers and co-accused youth affect youths failure to comply. Peer delinquency is a strong predictor of other types of delinquency (e.g. violence, property offending), and peers are also important agents of legal socialization, such that they may also influence youths attitudes and beliefs towards court-ordered conditions. The proposed studies will address the extent to which the presence of peers and/or co-accused youth contributes to the likelihood of young people failing to comply with conditions at the bail (pre-trial) stage. The findings may have important implications for improving access to reasonable bail and minimizing continued involvement in the youth criminal justice system.